Sinusitis FAQ

Too many surgeries

Question:

I have been a chronic sinusitis sufferer since I was 7. I am now 21. In that time I have had 6 surgeries. I am about to go in for my 7th surgery in another month. I suppose I have gotten used to it now. But I wonder if there is anyone out there like me who has had multiple surgeries. If you are one of those people please respond cause I feel very alone in all this. Thanks.

Response:

"Julie" <volcanocha…@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:5a65f9c9.0402181934.4c7dff8f@posting.google.com… > I have been a chronic sinusitis sufferer since I was 7. I am now 21. > In that time I have had 6 surgeries. I am about to go in for my 7th > surgery in another month. I suppose I have gotten used to it now. But > I wonder if there is anyone out there like me who has had multiple > surgeries. If you are one of those people please respond cause I feel > very alone in all this. Thanks.

I’ve had four, but never have gotten "used to it" by any measure.  At least I have an unsurpassed ENT, so I know that I am in good hands when I have to have the surgery.  Techniques are always improving, especially in image-guided approaches.  I hope that you have that option available as well as a surgeon with whom you are comfortable.  Good luck–this time could be the charm that gets you some long-term relief (you have to look at it that way).

Response:

On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 05:29:08 GMT, "ARoberts" <a-rober…@comcast.net> wrote: >I’ve had four, but never have gotten "used to it" by any measure.  At least >I have an unsurpassed ENT, so I know that I am in good hands when I have to >have the surgery.  Techniques are always improving, especially in >image-guided approaches.  I hope that you have that option available as well >as a surgeon with whom you are comfortable.

Image guidance actually makes little difference to the result – it just reduces the risk of the surgeon’s getting lost in there (which is not suppseod to happen anyway but very rarely can….).

Response:

"Don Brady" <dbr…@pobox.com> wrote in message

news:tkk830pkia4fhcmjundbakicjf9epckn2d@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 05:29:08 GMT, "ARoberts" <a-rober…@comcast.net> wrote: > >I’ve had four, but never have gotten "used to it" by any measure.  At least > >I have an unsurpassed ENT, so I know that I am in good hands when I have to > >have the surgery.  Techniques are always improving, especially in > >image-guided approaches.  I hope that you have that option available as well > >as a surgeon with whom you are comfortable. > Image guidance actually makes little difference to the result – it just reduces > the risk of the surgeon’s getting lost in there (which is not suppseod to > happen anyway but very rarely can….).

Um, getting "lost" around the optic nerve or causing a CSF leak (though that can be patched pretty easily) can make a difference in the result.  Why would you think that being able to better visualize the field would not yield a higher probability of positive outcomes?  In the case of patients with previous revision, the anatomical landmarks can be significantly altered, and being able to successfully navigate those structures can minimize bleeding and allow more judicious excision. This can allow faster healing and less discomfort for the patient.  Of course, the final determinant is the skill and experience of the surgeon, but this can be a powerful tool.

Response:

All Ent Dr’s are good at in my experience is surgery. The question to ask is why are you having all theses surgeries? My Top sinuses have been completely removed because they were nothing but scar tissue. The cause is from a bacteria called srep pyogene which produces toxins capable of destroying a sinus. Inflamation can be due to an infection! Most ENT’s will call it normal swelling. There are other bacteria which can cause severe sinus problems. Lyme for one which I tested positive for. Good Infection Disease Dr’s may help but there are few out there. I recently called a ID Dr who said he did not do Lyme. Thats pathetic! Like a math teacher not doing division. Good luck. On 18 Feb 2004 19:34:38 -0800, volcanocha…@yahoo.com (Julie) wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I have been a chronic sinusitis sufferer since I was 7. I am now 21. >In that time I have had 6 surgeries. I am about to go in for my 7th >surgery in another month. I suppose I have gotten used to it now. But >I wonder if there is anyone out there like me who has had multiple >surgeries. If you are one of those people please respond cause I feel >very alone in all this. Thanks.

Response:

ARoberts wrote: > "Julie" <volcanocha…@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:5a65f9c9.0402181934.4c7dff8f@posting.google.com… >>I have been a chronic sinusitis sufferer since I was 7. I am now 21. >>In that time I have had 6 surgeries. I am about to go in for my 7th >>surgery in another month. I suppose I have gotten used to it now. But >>I wonder if there is anyone out there like me who has had multiple >>surgeries. If you are one of those people please respond cause I feel >>very alone in all this. Thanks. > I’ve had four, but never have gotten "used to it" by any measure.  

Julie and ARoberts, I’m curious:  How do you know when it’s time for your next surgery?  Is it based on symptoms, or what a routine CT scan shows? I’m thinking of asking for a 2nd surgery since the 1st surgery left one pair of ethmoids untouched and ever since I’ve had what appear to be ethmoid symptoms. — Steven L.

Response:

On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 07:14:12 GMT, "ARoberts" <a-rober…@comcast.net> wrote: >getting "lost" around the optic nerve or causing a CSF leak (though that >can be patched pretty easily) can make a difference in the result.  Why >would you think that being able to better visualize the field would not >yield a higher probability of positive outcomes?  In the case of patients >with previous revision, the anatomical landmarks can be significantly >altered, and being able to successfully navigate those structures can >minimize bleeding and allow more judicious excision. This can allow faster >healing and less discomfort for the patient.  Of course, the final >determinant is the skill and experience of the surgeon, but this can be a >powerful tool.

"Can be" is quite accurate. As you say, if you are having revision surgery done, it is an easier call to use it. But I was told by a prominent surgeon that the technology currently has an accuracy that is only within 3 mm.    Sometimes, he said, that is not accurate enough! It definitely has its place, but people just get carried away and think it it is a panacea and that it  should be used for "all" sinus surgery.

Response:

Well for me it was the constant sinus infections and the cold’s. Everyone catches a few things from time to time. But when the pattern starts to change and I start getting sick every other week which is what its like now for me I began to ask myself what is going on here. Then if you are unfortunate enough to get any horrible sinus pain associated with it, including the intervals you are well you know you are headed for trouble. But everyone has their own symtoms. You should discuss things with your doctor. In fact, it might be a good idea to keep a journal and write in it how you feel each day keeping note of the syptoms you get. I could help your doctor out a lot. Hope that helps. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Steven Litvintchouk <sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net> wrote in message <news:r_4Zb.11026$W74.581@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net>… > ARoberts wrote: > > "Julie" <volcanocha…@yahoo.com> wrote in message > > news:5a65f9c9.0402181934.4c7dff8f@posting.google.com… > >>I have been a chronic sinusitis sufferer since I was 7. I am now 21. > >>In that time I have had 6 surgeries. I am about to go in for my 7th > >>surgery in another month. I suppose I have gotten used to it now. But > >>I wonder if there is anyone out there like me who has had multiple > >>surgeries. If you are one of those people please respond cause I feel > >>very alone in all this. Thanks. > > I’ve had four, but never have gotten "used to it" by any measure.   > Julie and ARoberts, > I’m curious:  How do you know when it’s time for your next surgery?  Is > it based on symptoms, or what a routine CT scan shows? > I’m thinking of asking for a 2nd surgery since the 1st surgery left one > pair of ethmoids untouched and ever since I’ve had what appear to be > ethmoid symptoms. > — Steven L.

Response:

Filed under: Ethmoid sinusitis

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